Question

Directions

The ability to analyze and evaluate a case study is an important skill.

This week you will read the Adams vs. Uno Restaurants, Inc. case study and practice this skill by using the following steps:

Skim the case study to understand the basic elements being discussed.

Read the case study slowly and make notes on the specific elements of the case and the associated laws.

Respond to the following prompts:

Summarize the main points of the case.

What law is the basis for the Court’s ruling?

Is it illegal under state law for an employer to retaliate against an employee for calling the state Health Department about an unsafe or unsanitary kitchen condition? Explain.

CASE BRIEF: Adams v. Uno Restaurants, Inc. FACTS:

After several years of employment by defendant, while working his nighttime line cooking shift, Adams noticed that the kitchen floor of the restaurant was saturated with a foul smelling liquid coming from the drains. Adams left work complaining of illness and contacted the Department of Health about the drainage problem in the restaurant’s kitchen. Upon returning to the restaurant a few days later, Adams was ordered into his manager’s office. Adams was reprimanded for stealing a softball shirt and taking home a work schedule. A shouting match ensued and Adams was charged with disorderly conduct, however the charges were later dropped and have since been expunged from his record. Adams contends that he was unlawfully terminated only because he notified the Board of Health regarding the unsanitary kitchen conditions.

ISSUE: Was Adams wrongfully terminated in violation of a state whistleblower statute? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The main points of the case is that Adams who was an employee of the Uno restaurant noticed a foul smelling liquid in the restaurant's kitchen and notified the Department of Health. Later on he was called to the manager's office and reprimanded for some issues and subsequently terminated. Adams feel that he was terminated because he raised the issue with Health department.

The basis of the court's decision is the Rhode Island whistleblower protection act.

It is definitely illegal for an employer to act against the employee for any whistleblowing activity that the employee may have undertaken.

From the circumstances, it appears that Adam was terminated from the employment because of his whistleblowing and under the regulations of the state, that is illegal. This is because the circumstial evidence points in that direction.